1.#Opinion: Saturday 31, Aug 2024, 06:00. 3654./ 1.#Narendra Modi: News Updates: PM Modi lays foundation stone of Vadhvan Port worth around Rs 76,000 crore in Palghar, Maharashtra: Published By : Admin | August 30, 2024 | 13:40 IST.//

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1.#Opinion: Saturday 31, Aug 2024, 06:00. 3654./ 

1.#Narendra Modi: News Updates: PM Modi lays foundation stone of Vadhvan Port worth around Rs 76,000 crore in Palghar, Maharashtra: Published By : Admin | August 30, 2024 | 13:40 IST.//

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Comments:

Quote Inaugurates and lays foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crore

Quote Launches National Roll Out of Vessel Communication and Support system at a cost of around Rs 360 crore

Quote Hands out transponder sets and Kisan Credit Cards to fishermen beneficiaries

Quote “First thing I did after coming to Maharashtra was bow my head at the feet of my revered god Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and ask for forgiveness for what happened in Sindhudurg a few days ago”

Quote “Taking inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, we are moving forward rapidly on the resolution of Viksit Maharashtra - Viksit Bharat”

Quote “Viksit Maharashtra is the most important part of the resolution of Viksit Bharat”

Quote “Maharashtra has both the capability and resources required for development”

Quote “Entire world is looking towards Vadhvan Port today”

Quote Dighi Port will become an identity of Maharashtra and a symbol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s dreams

Quote “This is New India. It learns from history and recognizes its potential and pride”

Quote “Success of women in Maharashtra is proof that women power of the 21st century is ready to give a new direction to society”

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VIDEO: PM Modi's speech during foundation stone laying ceremony of Vadhvan Port in Palghar, Maharashtra

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Palghar, Maharashtra today. The projects of today include laying the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port at a cost of around Rs 76,000 crore, and inauguration and laying the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crore. Shri Modi launched the national rollout of Vessel Communication and Support system at a cost of around Rs 360 crore. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for important fishery infrastructure projects including development, upgradation and modernization of fishing harbours, fish landing centers and construction of fish markets. He handed out transponder sets and Kisan Credit Cards to fishermen beneficiaries.

The Prime Minister began his address by paying tribute to Sant Senaji Maharaj on his punya tithi. Shri Modi spoke from his heart and recalled the time in 2013 when he was nominated for the post of Prime Minister and mentioned visiting the Raigarh Fort as the first thing to pray before the Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He said that he was blessed with the same ‘bhakti bhav’ with which he revered his master and took on the new journey to serve the nation. Referring to the unfortunate incident in Sindhudurg, the Prime Minister underlined that Shivaji Maharaj is not merely a name, a revered king or a great personality but a God. He tendered his humble apology by bowing at the feet of Shri Shivaji Maharaj and said that his upbringing and his culture make him different from those who intend to disrespect the great son of the land, Veer Savarkar, and trample the feeling of nationalism. “People of Maharashtra should remain wary of those who disrespect Veer Savarkar and feel no remorse for it”, the Prime Minister said. Shri Modi underlined that the first thing he did after visiting Maharashtra was to apologize to his God, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He also asked for forgiveness from all those who worship Shivaji Maharaj.

Hailing the day as historic in both the state and the country’s development journey, the Prime Minister said his government has taken major steps for the growth of Maharashtra in the last 10 years as “a Viksit Maharashtra is the most crucial element of the resolution of a Viksit Bharat .” Referring to the state’s historic maritime trade, Shri Modi said the state has the potential and resources to grow due to its coastal proximity, holding immense possibilities for the future. “The Vadhvan Port will be the country's largest container port and will be counted among the world’s deep water ports. It will become an epicenter of trade and industrial development for Maharashtra and India,” he said. The Prime Minister congratulated the people of Palghar, Maharashtra and the entire nation for the Vadhvan Port Project.

Recalling the recent decision by the government to develop the Dighi Port Industrial Area, the Prime Minister said that it is an occasion of double happiness for the people of Maharashtra. He informed that the industrial area will be developed in Raigarh, the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s empire. Therefore, the Prime Minister said, Dighi Port will become an identity of Maharashtra and a symbol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s dreams. He stated that it will encourage tourism and eco-resort.

Congratulating the entire fishermen community, Prime Minister Modi said that foundation stones for projects related to the fishermen worth more than Rs 700 crore have been laid today and projects worth more than Rs 400 crore have also been inaugurated all across the country. He mentioned Vadhvan Port, the development of Dighi Port Industrial Area and multiple schemes for fisheries and said that all development work has been made possible by the blessings of Mata Mahalakshmi Devi, Mata Jivdani and Bhagwan Tungareshwar.

Referring to India’s golden age, the Prime Minister held that there was a time when Bharat used to be counted among the most strong and prosperous nations due to its maritime capabilities. “People of Maharashtra are well-versed in this potential. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took India’s maritime capabilities to new heights with his policies and strong decisions for the development of the country,” Shri Modi said, adding that even the entire East India Company could not stand in front of Darya Sarang Kanhoji Yaganti. The Prime Minister said that the previous governments failed to pay heed to Bharat’s rich past. “This is New India. It learns from history and recognizes its potential and pride”, the Prime Minister remarked, adding that New India is creating new milestones in maritime infrastructure by leaving behind every trace of the shackles of slavery

The Prime Minister emphasized that development on India's coast has gained unprecedented speed in the last decade. He gave examples of modernizing ports, developing waterways, and efforts to encourage ship-building in India. “Lakhs of crore of rupees have been invested in this direction”, PM Modi highlighted that the results can be witnessed through the doubled handling capacity of most ports in India, an increase in private investments and a significant reduction in the turnaround time of ships. The Prime Minister underlined that it has benefitted the industries and businessmen by bringing the costs down, while new opportunities are being created for the youth. “Facilities for sailors have also increased”, he added.

“Entire world is looking towards Vadhvan Port today”, the Prime Minister said as he highlighted that very few ports in the world can match Vadhvan Port’s depth of 20 meters. He underlined the port would transform the economic landscape of the entire region due to railway and highway connectivity. He mentioned that it would create opportunities for new businesses and warehousing owing to its connectivity to the dedicated Western Freight Corridor and proximity to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. “Cargo will flow in and out of the region throughout the year, thereby benefiting the people of Maharashtra”, he added.

“Development of Maharashtra is a huge priority for me”, PM Modi said, highlighting the gains made by Maharashtra through ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ programs. Noting Maharashtra’s key role in India’s progress, the Prime Minister lamented the efforts by those trying to stall development.

Lamenting the efforts of the previous government for stalling the Vadhvan Port project for almost 60 years, the Prime Minister said that India required a new and advanced port for maritime trade but the work in this direction did not start until 2016. It was only after Devendra Fadnavis came to power that this project was taken seriously and it was decided to create a port in Palghar by 2020. However, the project again got stalled for 2.5 years due to a change in government, he said. The Prime Minister informed that an investment of several lakh crore of rupees is estimated in this project alone and about 12 lakh job opportunities will be created here. He also questioned the previous governments for not allowing this project to proceed.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the fishermen community of India are the most important partner when it comes to ocean-related opportunities. Recalling his conversation with the beneficiaries of the PM Matsya Sampada scheme, the Prime Minister highlighted the transformation of the sector in the last 10 years owing to government schemes and its spirit of service. Informing that India is the second-largest fish-producing country in the world, the Prime Minister pointed out that in 2014, 80 lakh tonnes of fish were produced in the country compared to 170 lakh tonnes of fish today. “Fish production has doubled in just 10 years”, he exclaimed. He also stated India's growing seafood exports and gave the example of shrimp export worth more than Rs 40 thousand crore today compared to less than Rs 20 thousand crore ten years ago. “Shrimp export has also more than doubled today”, he added, crediting its success to the Blue Revolution Scheme which helped in creating lakhs of new employment opportunities.

Throwing light on the government’s efforts to boost women's participation in the fisheries sector, the Prime Minister mentioned assisting thousands of women under PM Matsya Sampada Yojna. He spoke about advanced technologies and satellites and mentioned the launch of the Vessel Communication System today which will become a blessing for the fishermen community. Shri Modi declared that the government plans to install 1 lakh transponders on vessels used by fishermen to establish uninterrupted connectivity with their families, boat owners, fisheries department and coast guards. This, the Prime Minister said, will help fishermen communicate in times of emergency, cyclones or any untoward incidents through the help of satellites. “It is the government’s priority to save lives during any emergency”, he assured.

The Prime Minister informed that more than 110 fishing ports and landing centers are being built for the safe return of fishermen's vessels. Giving examples of cold chain, processing facilities, loan schemes for boats and PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, the Prime Minister said that the government is paying more attention to the development of coastal villages while fishermen government organizations are also being strengthened.

The Prime Minister stated that the present government has always worked for those belonging to the backward classes and gave opportunities to the deprived, whereas the policies formed by previous governments always held the fishermen and tribal community at the margins with not even a single department for the welfare of tribal communities in such large tribal-dominated areas in the country. “It is our government which created separate ministries for both fishermen and tribal communities. Today, the neglected tribal areas are availing benefits of PM JanMan Yojana and our tribal and fishermen communities are making a huge contribution towards the development of our country,” Shri Modi remarked.

The Prime Minister lauded the state government for its women-led development approach and said that Maharashtra is laying the path of women empowerment for the nation. Referring to women doing an excellent job in many high positions in Maharashtra, the Prime Minister mentioned Sujata Saunik who is guiding the state administration as Chief Secretary for the first time in the state’s history of the state, DGP Rashmi Shukla leading the state police force, Shomita Biswas leading as the head of the state's Forest Force and Suvarna Kewale handling the responsibility as the head of the state’s Law Department. He also mentioned Jaya Bhagat taking charge as Principal Accountant General of the state, Prachi Swaroop leading the Customs Department in Mumbai and Ashwini Bhide as the MD of Mumbai Metro. Referring to women in Maharashtra in the field of higher education, the Prime Minister mentioned Lieutenant General Dr Madhuri Kanitkar, the Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra Health University, and Dr Apoorva Palkar, the first Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra's Skills University. “Successes of these women are proof that women power of the 21st century is ready to give a new direction to society”, Shri Modi remarked adding that this woman power is the biggest foundation of Viksit Bharat.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that this government works with the belief of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.’ Shri Modi expressed confidence that the state will reach new heights of development with the help of the people of Maharashtra.

Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C P Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Shri Ajit Pawar, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port. The total cost of this project is around Rs 76,000 crore. It aims to establish a world-class maritime gateway that will boost the country’s trade and economic growth by catering to large container vessels, offering deeper drafts, and accommodating ultra-large cargo ships.

Vadhvan Port, located near Dahanu town in Palghar district, will be one of India’s largest deep-water ports and will provide direct connectivity to international shipping routes, reducing transit times and costs. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, the port will feature deep berths, efficient cargo handling facilities, and modern port management systems. The port is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses, and contribute to the overall economic development of the region. The Vadhvan Port project incorporates sustainable development practices with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and adhering to stringent ecological standards. Once operational, the port will enhance India's maritime connectivity and further strengthen its position as a global trade hub.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crore, aimed at bolstering the sector's infrastructure and productivity across the nation. These initiatives are expected to generate more than five lakh employment opportunities in the fisheries sector.

The Prime Minister launched the National Roll Out of Vessel Communication and Support system at a cost of around Rs. 360 crore. Under this project, 1 lakh transponders will be installed in a phased manner on mechanized and motorized fishing vessels in 13 coastal States and Union Territories. The vessel communication and support system is indigenous technology developed by ISRO, which will help in establishing two-way communication while fishermen are at sea and also help in rescue operations as well as ensure the safety of our fishermen.

Other initiatives inaugurated by the Prime Minister included the development of fishing harbours and Integrated Aquaparks, alongside the adoption of advanced technologies such as the Recirculatory Aquaculture System and Biofloc. These projects will be implemented across multiple states to provide crucial infrastructure and high-quality inputs to enhance fish production, improve post-harvest management, and create sustainable livelihoods for millions involved in the fisheries sector.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for important fishery infrastructure projects including development, upgradation and modernization of fishing harbours, fish landing centers and construction of fish markets. This is expected to provide necessary facilities and hygienic conditions for post-harvest management of fish and seafood.

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2.##PM addresses Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 in Mumbai, Maharashtra:30 Aug, 2024Print News.///

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VIDEO: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the Global FinTech Fest, Mumbai

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PM addresses Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 in Mumbai, Maharashtra

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Comments:

“India’s FinTech revolution is improving financial inclusion as well as driving innovation”

“India’s FinTech diversity amazes everyone”

“Jan Dhan Yojana has been pivotal in boosting financial inclusion”

“UPI is a great example of India’s FinTech success”

“Jan Dhan Program has laid strong foundations of financial empowerment of women”

“Transformation brought about by FinTech in India is not limited to just technology. Its social impact is far-reaching”

“FinTech has played a significant role in democratizing financial services”

“India’s Fintech ecosystem will enhance the Ease of Living of the entire world. Our best is yet to come”

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra today. The Prime Minister also took a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the occasion. GFF is jointly organized by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India and the Fintech Convergence Council and it aims to showcase India’s strides in Fintech and bring together key stakeholders of the sector.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the economy and the markets of the nation are in a celebratory mood at a time when the nation is also going through a festive period, and the organization of Global Fintech Fest is happening in the city of dreams, Mumbai. The Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries and guests. Speaking about his experiences and interactions at the exhibition before the commencement of the program, Shri Modi said that one can witness a whole new world of innovations of the youth and possibilities of the future. He congratulated all those involved in the successful organization of the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024.

Hailing Bharat’s fintech innovation, the Prime Minister said, “Earlier foreign guests visiting India used to be amazed by its cultural diversity, now they are amazed by its fintech diversity as well.” Shri Modi held that Bharat’s fintech revolution is widespread for one to witness right from the moment of their arrival at the airport to street food and shopping experience. “In the last 10 years, the industry has received a record investment of more than 31 billion USD along with witnessing a startup growth of 500 percent,” he underlined, highlighting affordable mobile phones, inexpensive data and Jan Dhan Bank accounts starting with zero balance for bringing in a revolution. “Today, the total number of broadband users in the country has increased from 60 million to 940 million,” Shri Modi said, further highlighting that there is hardly any 18-year-old in the country without an Aadhaar, a digital identification. “Today, more than 530 million people in the country have Jhan Dhan accounts. In a way we have connected a population equivalent to that of the entire European Union to banks in just 10 years,” he added.

The Prime Minister underlined that the trinity of Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile have broken down the mentality of ‘Cash is King’ and made way for approximately half of the digital transactions in the world taking place in India. “India’s UPI has become a major example of Fintech in the world” the Prime Minister said adding that it has enabled 27 X 7 banking services in every village and city in all weather conditions. Recalling the Covid pandemic, the Prime Minister said that India was one of the handful of nations in the world where the banking system remained uninterrupted.

The Prime Minister highlighted the 10th anniversary of Jan Dhan Yojna a few days ago and said that it has become a huge medium for women empowerment. He informed that more than 29 crore bank accounts have been set up for women so far opening up new opportunities for savings and investments. He further added that the largest microfinance scheme, Mudra Yojna, was launched on the philosophy of Jan Dhan accounts and has disbursed a credit of Rs 27 trillion so far. “70 percent of the beneficiaries of this scheme are women”, Shri Modi informed. He further explained that Jan Dhan accounts are also used in connecting self-help groups with the banking system and have benefited 10 crore rural women. “Jan Dhan Program has laid strong foundations of financial empowerment of women”, PM Modi remarked.

Cautioning about the dangers of a parallel economy for the world, the Prime Minister remarked that Fintech has played an impactful role in denting such a system and credited the emergence of transparency. He said that digital technology has introduced transparency in India and gave the example of the implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer used in hundreds of government schemes that has prevented leakages in the system. “Today, people can see the benefits of aligning with the formal banking system”, the Prime Minister reiterated.

Noting the changes brought in by the fintech industry in the country, the Prime Minister said that it has not only transformed the technological front of Bharat but also made a widespread social impact by closing the gap between urban and rural India together. Shri Modi further highlighted that the same banking services which earlier used to take a whole day, creating hindrances for the farmers and middle-class families, are now easily accessible on mobile phones with the help of fintech.

Underlining the role of Fintech in democratizing financial services, the Prime Minister gave examples of readily available loans, credit cards, investments and insurance. He said that Fintech has made access to credit easy and inclusive, and gave the example of PM SVANidhi scheme that has enabled street vendors to avail collateral-free loans and further expand their business with the help of digital transactions. He also mentioned easy access to the share markets and mutual funds, investment reports and opening demat accounts. Referring to the rise of Digital India, the Prime Minister highlighted that services such as remote healthcare services, digital education and skill learning would not be possible without fintech. “India’s Fintech revolution is playing a big role in improving the Dignity of Life and Quality of Life”, Shri Modi added.

The Prime Minister held that the feats achieved by India’s fintech revolution are not just about innovations, but also about adoption. Applauding the people of India for adopting the speed and scale of this revolution, Shri Modi also hailed the role of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for bringing in this transformation, adding that amazing innovations have been made in the country to create trust regarding this technology.

Referring to the modern-day concepts of Digital Only Banks and Neo-Banking, the Prime Minister said, “The 21st-century world is changing at a fast pace and while the journey from currency to QR (quick response) codes took us a while, we have been witnessing innovations daily.” Hailing the Digital Twins technology, Shri Modi said it is going to change the way the world has been assessing risk management, evaluating fraud detection and providing customer experience. Noting the advantages of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), the Prime Minister said it is making online shopping inclusive and connecting small businesses and enterprises to bigger opportunities. Today, account aggregators are using data for smooth functioning of companies, the liquid and cash flow of small institutions are improving due to trade platforms and a digital voucher like e-RUPI is being used in many forms, Shri Modi said, adding that these products are equally useful for other countries of the world.

“India has called for a global framework for AI”, the Prime Minister said, noting that the use of sound boxes along with QR codes is one such innovation. He also urged India’s fintech sector to study the government’s Bank Sakhi program and highlighted the efforts of the daughters in spreading banking and digital awareness in every village thereby giving a new market to fintech.

The Prime Minister underlined that the government is making all necessary changes on the policy level to assist the Fintech sector and gave examples of doing away with Angel Tax, allocating Rs 1 lakh crores to encourage research and innovation in the country and implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Expressing the need to put an end to cyber fraud, the Prime Minister urged the regulators to initiate huge steps to boost digital literacy. He said that it is equally important to ensure cyber fraud does not come in the way of the growth of fintech and startups in the country.

“Sustainable economic growth is India’s priority today”, the Prime Minister said. He emphasized that the government is creating robust, transparent and efficient systems to strengthen financial markets with advanced technologies and regulatory frameworks. He mentioned supporting sustainable growth with green finance and saturation of financial inclusion.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that India’s Fintech ecosystem will play a huge role in providing a quality lifestyle to the people of India. “I am confident that India’s Fintech ecosystem will enhance the Ease of Living of the entire world. Our best is yet to come”, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister expressed the belief that he would be present in the 10th edition of GFF, five years later. Before the conclusion of the event, the Prime Minister posed for a selfie with the gathering and explained that with the use of AI, anybody who finds themselves in the photograph can get access to it by visiting the photo section of NaMo app and uploading their selfie.

Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Shri Shaktikanta Das and Chairman of GFF, Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India and the Fintech Convergence Council are jointly organizing the Global Fintech Fest. Around 800 speakers, including policymakers, regulators, senior bankers, industry captains, and academicians, from India and various other countries will address more than 350 sessions at the conference. It will also showcase the latest innovations in the fintech landscape. Over 20 thought leadership reports and white papers will be launched at GFF 2024, offering insights, and in-depth industry information.

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3.###PM’s address at the Global FinTech Fest in Mumbai: 30 Aug, 2024Print News.////

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VIDEO: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the Global FinTech Fest, Mumbai

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###PM’s address at the Global FinTech Fest in Mumbai

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नमस्कार!

RBI के गवर्नर श्रीमान शक्तिकांत दास जी, क्रिस गोपालकृष्णन जी, मेम्बर्स ऑफ रेग्यूलेटर्स, फाइनेंस इंडस्ट्री के लीडर्स, फिनटेक और स्टार्ट-अप वर्ल्ड के मेरे साथी, अन्य सभी महानुभाव, देवियों और सज्जनों!

ये भारत में त्योहारों का मौसम है, अभी-अभी जन्माष्टमी हमने मनाई हैं। और खुशी देखिए हमारी इकोनॉमी और हमारे मार्केट में भी उत्सव का माहौल है। इस फेस्टिव मूड में, ये ग्लोबल फिनटेक फेस्टिवल हो रहा है। औऱ वो भी सपनों की नगरी मुंबई में। मैं देश और दुनिया से यहां आए सभी मेहमानों का, अभिनंदन करता हूं, स्वागत करता हूं। यहां से आने से पहले मैं अलग-अलग एक्जीबीशन्स देखकर के आया हूं, काफी साथियों से गप्पे लगाकर करके आया हूं। हमारे नौजवानों के इनोवेशन का और फ्यूचर की संभावनाओं का एक पूरा नया संसार वहां दिखाई दे रहा है। चलिए आपके काम के लिए मैं शब्द बदलता हूं, एक पूरी नई दुनिया दिखाई दे रही है। मैं इस फेस्टिवल के आयोजकों को, सबको बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं।

साथियों,

यहां बड़ी संख्या में विदेशों से हमारे मेहमान भी आए हैं। एक समय था, जब लोग भारत आते थे, तो हमारी Cultural Diversity देखकर दंग रह जाते थे, हैरान हो जाते थे। अब लोग भारत आते हैं, तो हमारी Fintech Diversity को देखकर भी हैरान होते हैं। एयरपोर्ट पर land करने से लेकर street food और shopping experience तक, भारत की फिनटेक क्रांति चारों तरफ दिखती है। पिछले 10 साल में फिनटेक स्पेस में 31 बिलियन डॉलर से ज्यादा का निवेश हुआ है। 10 साल में हमारे फिनटेक स्टार्टअप्स में 500 परसेंट वृद्धि हुई है। सस्ते मोबाइल फोन, सस्ते डेटा और ज़ीरो बैलेंस जनधन बैंक खातों ने भारत में कमाल कर दिया है। आपको याद होगा, कुछ लोग पहले पूछते थे, पार्लियामेंट में खड़े होकर के पूछते थे और अपने आप को बहुत विद्वान मानने वाले लोग पूछते थे। सरस्वती जब बुद्धि बाँट रही थी तो वो रास्ते में पहले ही खड़े थे। और क्या कहते थे?, वो पूछते थे कि भारत में बैंक, इतनी ब्रांचेस नहीं हैं, गांव-गांव बैंक available नहीं है। इंटरनेट नहीं है, यहां तक पूछ लेते थे-बिजली भी तो नहीं है, recharging कहाँ होगा, फिनटेक क्रांति कैसे होगी? ये पूछा जाता था और मुझ जैसे चाय वाले को पूछा जाता था। लेकिन आज देखिए एक दशक में ही भारत में ब्रॉडबैंड यूज़र- 60 मिलियन यानि 6 करोड़ से बढ़कर 940 मिलियन यानि करीब 94 करोड़ हो गए हैं। आज 18 वर्ष से ऊपर का शायद ही कोई भारतीय हो, जिसके पास उसकी डिजिटल आइडेन्टिटी, आधार कार्ड नहीं है। आज 530 मिलियन यानि 53 करोड़ से अधिक लोगों के पास जनधन बैंक खाते हो गए हैं। यानि 10 साल में हमने एक प्रकार से पूरी यूरोपियन यूनियन के बराबर आबादी को बैंकिंग सिस्टम से जोड़ा है।

साथियों,

जनधन-आधार-मोबाइल की इस त्रिनिटी ने एक और ट्रांसफॉर्मेशन को गति दी है। कभी लोग कहते थे कि Cash is King. आज दुनिया का करीब-करीब आधा रियल टाइम डिजिटल ट्रांजेक्शन भारत में होता है। पूरी दुनिया में भारत का UPI फिनटेक का बहुत बड़ा उदाहरण बन गया है। आज गांव हो या शहर, सर्दी हो या गर्मी, बारिश हो या बर्फ गिर रही हो, भारत में बैकिंग सर्विस 24 घंटे, सातों दिन, 12 महीने चलती रहती है। कोरोना के इतने बड़े संकट के दौरान भी भारत दुनिया के उन देशों में था, जहां हमारी बैंकिंग सर्विस बिना किसी दिक्कत के चलती रही।

साथियों,

अभी 2-3 दिन पहले ही जनधन योजना के 10 साल पूरे हुए हैं। जनधन योजना, Women Empowerment का बहुत बड़ा माध्यम बनी है। जनधन योजना के चलते करीब 290 मिलियन यानि 29 करोड़ से ज्यादा महिलाओं के बैंक खाते खुले हैं। इन खातों में महिलाओं के लिए सेविंग्स और इन्वेस्टमेंट्स के लिए नए अवसर बनाए हैं। इन्हीं जनधन खातों की philosophy पर हमने माइक्रोफाइनेंस की सबसे बड़ी स्कीम, मुद्रा लॉन्च की। इस स्कीम से अभी तक 27 ट्रिलियन रुपए से अधिक का क्रेडिट दिया जा चुका है, 27 ट्रिलियन। इस स्कीम की करीब 70 परसेंट बेनिफिशरी महिलाएं हैं। जनधन खातों ने महिलाओं के सेल्फ हेल्प ग्रुप्स को भी बैंकिंग से जोड़ा। इसका फायदा आज देश की 10 करोड़ rural women को मिल रहा है। यानि जनधन प्रोग्राम ने, महिलाओं के financial empowerment की एक मज़बूत नींव रखी है।

साथियों,

पूरी दुनिया के लिए parallel economy एक बड़ी चिंता का विषय रही है। फिनटेक ने parallel economy पर भी चोट की है और बधाई के पात्र आप लोग हैं। आपने ये भी देखा है कि कैसे हम भारत में डिजिटल टेक्नॉलॉजी से ट्रांसपेरेंसी लेकर आए हैं। आज सरकार की सैकड़ों स्कीम्स के तहत डायरेक्ट बेनिफिट ट्रांसफर किया जाता है। इससे सिस्टम से लीकेज बंद हुई है। आज लोगों को फॉर्मल सिस्टम से जुड़ने में अपना लाभ नज़र आता है।

साथियों,

भारत में फिनटेक की वजह से जो transformation आया है, वो सिर्फ technology तक ही सीमित नहीं है। इसका social impact बहुत व्यापक है। इससे गांव और शहर की खाई को ब्रिज करने में मदद मिल रही है। कभी हमारे यहां, बैंक की सर्विस लेने में ही एक पूरा दिन लग जाता था। एक किसान के लिए, एक मछुआरे के लिए, एक मिडिल क्लास परिवार के लिए ये बहुत बड़ी मुसीबत थी। फिनटेक ने इस समस्या को दूर किया। कभी बैंक सिर्फ एक बिल्डिंग तक सीमित हुआ करते थे। आज बैंक हर भारतीय के मोबाइल में सिमट गए हैं।

साथियों,

फिनटेक ने financial service को democratic बनाने में भी बड़ी भूमिका निभाई है। Loan, क्रेडिट कार्ड, investment, insurance जैसे प्रोडक्ट, सबके लिए आसानी से सुलभ हो रहे हैं। फिनटेक ने Access To Credit को भी आसान और inclusive बना दिया है। मैं एक उदाहरण देता हूं। आप जानते हैं भारत में street vendors की एक पुरानी परंपरा है। लेकिन वो फॉर्मल बैंकिंग से बाहर थे। फिनटेक ने इस स्थिति को भी बदल दिया है। आज वो पीएम स्वनिधि योजना से Collateral Free Loan ले पा रहे हैं, डिजिटल ट्रांजेक्शन रिकॉर्ड के आधार पर उनको बिजनेस बढ़ाने के लिए और लोन मिलता रहता है। कभी शेयर और म्यूच्यल फंड जैसे, प्रोडक्ट्स में इन्वेस्टमेंट, बड़े शहरों में ही संभव था। आज गांव और कस्बों में भी इन्वेस्टमेंट के इस avenue को बड़ी संख्या में explore किया जा रहा है। आज कुछ ही मिनटों में घर बैठे ही डीमैट अकाउंट खुल रहे हैं, इन्वेस्टमेंट रिपोर्ट्स ऑनलाइन मिल रही है। आज बड़ी संख्या में भारतीय रिमोट हेल्थकेयर सर्विस ले रहे हैं, डिजिटली, ऑनलाइन पढ़ाई कर रहे हैं, स्किल्स सीख रहे हैं, ये भी फिनटेक्स के बिना संभव नहीं था। यानि भारत की फिनटेक क्रांति, Dignity of Life, Quality of Life उसको बेहतर बनाने में भी बड़ा रोल निभा रही है।

साथियों,

भारत की फिनटेक क्रांति की उपलब्धि सिर्फ इनोवेशन्स के लिए ही नहीं है, बल्कि adoption लेकर के भी है। भारत की जनता ने, जिस स्पीड और स्केल पर फिनटेक को adopt किया है, उसका उदाहरण कहीं और नहीं मिल सकता। इसका एक बड़ा क्रेडिट हमारे डिजिटल पब्लिक इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर-DPI को भी जाता है और हमारे फिनटेक्स को भी जाता है। देश में इस टेक्नॉलॉजी को लेकर ट्रस्ट पैदा करने के लिए अद्भुत इनोवेशन किए गए हैं। QR Codes के साथ-साथ साउंड बॉक्स का उपयोग, ऐसा ही इनोवेशन है। हमारे फिनटेक सेक्टर को सरकार के बैंक सखी कार्यक्रम का भी अध्ययन करना चाहिए। और मैं सब फिनटेक वाले नौजवानों को कहना चाहता हूं ये बैंक सखी है क्या? मैं अभी जलगांव आया था एक दिन तो मैं ऐसे ही बहन सखियों से मिला तो बड़े गर्व से कहती है कि मैं एक दिन डेढ़ करोड़ रूपए का कारोबार करती हूं। क्या confidence, और एक गाँव की महिला थी वो। हमारी बेटियों ने गांव-गांव में बैंकिंग को, digital awareness को जिस प्रकार फैलाया है, उससे फिनटेक को एक नया बाज़ार मिला है।

साथियों,

21वीं सदी की दुनिया बहुत तेजी से बदल रही है। करेंसी से QR कोड्स तक की यात्रा में सदियां लग गईं, लेकिन अब हर रोज हम नए इनोवेशन देख रहे हैं। Digital Only Banks और Neo-Banking जैसे कॉन्सेप्ट हमारे सामने हैं। Digital Twins जैसी टेक्नॉलॉजी डेटा आधारित बैंकिंग को next level पर ले जा रही है। इससे risk management, fraud detection और customer experience, सब कुछ बदलने वाले हैं। मुझे खुशी है कि भारत भी लगातार नए Fintech Products launch कर रहा है। हम ऐसे प्रोडक्ट्स तैयार कर रहे हैं, जो local हैं, लेकिन उनकी application global है। आज ONDC यानि Open Network For Digital Commerce, online shopping को inclusive बना रहा है। ये छोटे बिजनेस, छोटे enterprises को बड़े अवसरों से जोड़ रहा है। Account एग्रीगेटर्स, लोगों और कंपनियों का कामकाज आसान करने के लिए डेटा को यूज़ कर रहे हैं। ट्रेड्स Platform की मदद से छोटी संस्थाओं की liquidity और cash flow बेहतर हो रहे हैं। E-rupi एक ऐसा डिजिटल वाउचर बना है, जिसे कई रूपों में इस्तेमाल किया जा रहा है। भारत के ये products विश्व के दूसरे देशों के लिए भी उतने ही उपयोगी हैं। और इसी सोच के साथ हमने G-20 Presidency के दौरान Global Digital Public Infrastructure रिपॉजिटरी बनाने का प्रस्ताव रखा था, जिसे G-20 मेंबर्स ने खुले दिल से स्वीकार किया था। मैं AI के दुरुपयोग से जुड़ी आपकी चिंताओं को भी समझता हूं। इसलिए, भारत ने AI के ethical use के लिए Global Framework बनाने का भी आह्वान किया है।

साथियों,

फिनटेक सेक्टर की मदद के लिए सरकार पॉलिसी लेवल पर हर ज़रूरी बदलाव कर रही है। हाल में हमने Angel Tax को हटाया है। ठीक नहीं किया? नहीं। ठीक किया है ना? हमने देश में रिसर्च और इनोवेशन को बढ़ावा देने के लिए एक लाख करोड़ रुपए का फंड बनाने की घोषणा की है। हमने डेटा प्रोटेक्शन कानून बनाया है। मेरी हमारे रेगुलेटर्स से भी कुछ अपेक्षाएं हैं। हमें Cyber Fraud को रोकने के लिए और Digital Literacy के लिए और बड़े कदम उठाने होंगे। Cyber Fraud स्टार्ट अप्स की, Fin-Techs की ग्रोथ में रुकावट न बनें, ये ध्यान रखना भी उतना ही ज़रूरी है।

साथियों,

पहले के जमाने में बैंक डूबने वाली है या बैंक डूबी है या डूब जाएगी, ये बात फैलते हुए impact होते-होते 5-7 दिन निकल जाते थे। आज अगर किसी व्यवस्था में पता चला कि इस पर cyber fraud है, एक मिनट में मामला पूरा, वो कंपनी गई। फिनटेक के लिए बहुत जरूरी है। और cyber solution उसकी बालमृत्यु बहुत जल्दी हो जाती है। कोई भी cyber solution निकालिए उसका बेईमान लोग तोड़ निकालने में देर नहीं करते, तो उस solution की बालमृत्यु हो जाती है, फिर आपको नया solution लेकर आना पड़ता है।

साथियों,

आज Sustainable Economic Growth ये भारत की प्राथमिकता है। हम strong, transparent, और efficient systems बना रहे हैं। हम Financial Markets को advanced technologies regulatory frameworks से मजबूत कर रहे हैं। हम Green Finance से sustainable growth को सपोर्ट कर रहे हैं। हम financial inclusion के, उस inclusion के saturation पर बल दे रहे हैं। मुझे विश्वास है भारत का फिनटेक इकोसिस्टम, भारत के लोगों को quality lifestyle, देने के मिशन में बहुत बड़ी भूमिका निभाएगा। मुझे विश्वास है भारत का फिनटेक इकोसिस्टम, पूरी दुनिया की ease of living बढ़ाएगा। और मुझे मेरे देश के युवाओं के टेलेंट पर इतना भरोसा है, इतना भरोसा है और मैं कहता हूं, बड़े विश्वास से कहता हूं – Our Best Is Yet To Come.

ये आपका 5वां समारोह है ना…तो 10वें में मैं आऊंगा। और तब आपने भी कल्पना नहीं की होगी, वहां पर आप भी पहुंचे होंगे दोस्तों। आज अभी मैं आपके कुछ स्टार्ट-अप्स यूनिट वालों को मिला, सबसे तो नहीं मिल पाया, लेकिन कुछ लोगों से मिला। लेकिन हर एक को 10-10 होमवर्क देकर के आया हूं, क्योंकि मैं समझ सकता हूं कि ये बहुत बड़ा बदलाव लाने वाला क्षेत्र है साथियों। एक बहुत बड़ा revolution हो रहा है और उसकी मजबूत नींव यहां हम देख रहे हैं। इसी भरोसे के साथ, आप सबको मेरी बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं! बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद!

ये कृष्णगोपाल जी के कहने पर हमने फोटो निकाली, लेकिन आपको लगेगा इसका क्या मतलब है, मैं फायदा बताता हूं– मैं AI की दुनिया से जुड़ा हुआ इंसान हूं, तो आप अगर नमो ऐप पर जाएंगे तो नमो ऐप पर फोटो डिवीजन पर जाएंगे, वहां अपनी सेल्फी रखेंगे और आज कहीं पर भी आप मेरे साथ नजर आते हैं तो आपको अपनी वो फोटो मिल जाएगी।

Thank You!

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JAI HIND
JAI BHARATHAM
VANDHE MADHARAM
BHARAT MATHA KI JAI.

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